In 1973, 'The Exorcist' became one of the first true 'event' movies. It was notorious for causing physical reactions in audiences, including fainting and vomiting, which led to sensationalist news coverage. These reports only served to drive curiosity, resulting in lines around the block during its winter release. It was the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Despite its R-rating, it grossed over $440 million worldwide (unadjusted). It proved that horror could be a 'blockbuster' genre, provided the production quality was high and the marketing capitalized on audience controversy and word-of-mouth.